Jerome missed a chance to give Birmingham the win in stoppage-time

Birmingham blew the chance to move within a point of Championship leaders Wolves against 10-man Crystal Palace.

The Blues stay three points behind after Marcus Bent, Lee Bowyer, Cameron Jerome and Honduran forward Carlos Costly all missed gilt-edged chances.

Palace played the final 15 minutes a man down after Nick Carle was sent off for a crude lunge on Jerome.

And it was Jerome who somehow missed a stoppage-time cross on the goal-line to send Birmingham home with just a point.

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock on a potential penalty for Birmingham old boy Neil Danns and Carle's red card:
"On the video it's a penalty. It's a pity the technology is not available.

"And we don't think it was a sending-off. We think he took the ball. But it was consistent with the ref's performance.

"It was a pity because I thought the lads did well tonight. I'd like to say what I feel - but I better not."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:

"I'm not going to blame individuals. There were terrific chances for all our strikers and they didn't take them.

"It's two points dropped and now the other teams around us have a chance. There are still 12 games left and we are going to have to win eight to 10."

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Hill, Oster (Ertl 87), Danns, Carle, Moses (Hills 54), Rui Fonte (Butterfield 77), Lee.
Subs Not Used: Kuqi, Pinney.

Sent Off: Carle (76).

Booked: Jose Fonte, Lee.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Carr, Ridgewell, Jaidi, Murphy, Sinclair (Bouazza 65), Fahey, Bowyer, Larsson (Johnson 83), Costly (Jerome 59), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Lyness, Traore.

Booked: Bowyer.

Att: 12,847

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).

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